Decorative mirror and process of manufacture thereof



April 22, 1941,. A, GURWQQD 2,239,520

DECORATIVE MIRROR AND PROCESS OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF Filed Oct. 18, 1938 /)v VEN TOE 141E )(fl/VOEI? GG'u'R Wooo a v-v-ae/vs Ks;

Patented Apr. 22, 1941 nncona'rrva MIRROR AND raooass or MANUFACTURE manor Alexander G. Gurwood, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor I to Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, Allegheny County, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 18, 1938, Serial No. 235,607

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to mirrors and more particularly to mirrors which are given special decorative effects.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a decoration for mirrors, by the application of which unusual effects of apparent multipllcation of the design, color tones and a general appearance of richness and depth in .the body of the glass are obtained.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description ofcertain preferred embodiments thereof.

It is well known that mirror plates have been given special decorative effects in many ways. It is probable that the most common form of treatment consists in the sand blasting of a desired decoration upon a glass plate and subsequently applyin' a reflecting coating directly over the decora on. In other instances, the mirrored surface itself is treated, as for example, by the removal of certain portions of the reflecting coating and the addition of a colored layer which will be visible in contrast to the remaining portions of the silver film.

Briefly stated, the present invention contemplates the formation of a design in the outer face of a mirror plate and the application thereto of two layers of color. The first layer of color will be seen by reflection in the mirror film while the outer layer of 'color will be seen by direct vision.

One embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawing wherein the figure represents a vertical sectional view through a mirror plate constructed in accordance with the provisions of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a transparent plate I of glass or other suitable material has formed upon "one surface by engraving, sand blasting or any other suitable process, a design, portions of which appear as grooves 2. A layer 3 of a colored material is applied to the depressed portions of the design and partially fills those depressions. A second layer 4 of a different color which may be contrasting or congruous with respect to the first color is superposed thereon in amounts-suincient to complete the filling of the depressions in the design. A reflecting film 6 of silver or other metal is applied to the opposite face of the transparent plate I and is in turn protected by the application thereof of a coating I of lacquer or enamel. This coating maybe, if desired, in the form of an electrodeposited film of copper or other metal.

The preparation of this decorated mirror plate may be performed in numerous ways and the particular process selected will depend upon the nature of the'colored materials which are to be applied to the design. Forexample, if the colors are made up in the form of air-drying lacquers the mirror itself may be completely fabricated before being decorated. Where, however, the decorative colors are of a ceramic glazed type the design must beplaced upon the glass before it is subjected to the mirroring operation.

In the first instance a glass plate of the desired size is provided with a design in subrelief upon one surface. The selected design is cut into the glass by a sand blasting, wheel engraving, or etching. The glass plate is then cleaned thoroughly and a metallic reflecting coating is deposited upon the unengraved surface of the glass.

. The reflecting film which will ordinarily comprise a thin layer of silver is covered with a layer of paint or lacquer or protected more adequately by an electrodeposited coating of copper. The silvering operation and the subsequent processes of applying a protective backing thereto are well known to the art and accordingly a more detailed description thereof should not be necessary herein. A colored substance such as an enamel or lacquer of heavy strength is applied to the design and allowed to set. Thereafter a second layer-of colored material which may be of a contrasting or congruous color value is superposed upon the first layer .of color in the depressed portions of the design and thus is also permitted to dry. Although it is quite possible with the use of skilled labor torestrict the color to the design is of a different tone or color than the surface or directlyobserved design. It will be obvious, of

course, that the first layer of color applied to the design will be reflected from the mirror film while the second or top layer of color may be viewed only directly.

In a modified form of mirror the glass plate instead of being of clear glass may be colored.

surface of which has scores therein. a base color.

partially filling the scores, a second color superposed upon the base color, and a layer of arefiectlng material applied to the opposite surface of the transparent plate, underlying the scores for reflecting the base color in the scores.

2. A mirror comprising a plate of glass, a series of depressions in one surface thereof, a colored material partially filling the depressions, a coating of a second colored material superposed thereon, and a metallic reflecting coating upon the opposite I surface of the "glass plate, underlying the depressions for reflecting the colored material first applied to thedepressions.

3. A mirror comprising a plate of glass, a suitable design in subrelief formed in one surface thereof, a coloredglaze partially filling the subrelief portions of the design, a second glaze of a contrasting color superposed upon the first glaze,

portions thereof.

4. A mirror comprising a transparent plate of colored glass, it suitable design in subrelief formed in one surface thereof. a glaze of a color contrasting to that of the the subreiief portions of the design, and a metallic reflecting coating upon the opposite surface of the glass plate, underlying the design for reflecting the colored glaze, the reflection being a compound color.

5. A process of manufacturing a decorated mirror which comprises forming a design in subrelief upon one surface of a transparent plate, applying a colored material in the depressed portions of the design and subsequently applying a metallic reflecting coating to the entire opposite surface of the transparent plate.

6. A process of manufacturing a decorated mirror which comprises forming a design in one surface of a glass. plate, applying a layer of a colored material to the design in an amount sufii cient to fill partially the depressed portions thereof, applying a second glaze of a color contrasting to that of the first glaze to the design, depositing a silver reflecting film upon the entire opposite surface of the glass plate and applying a protective coating to the silvered film.

ALEXANDER. G. GURWOOD.

glass plate partially filling 

